PANAMA CITY — The Florida Department of Health in Bay County has issued a notice that multiple beaches in the county didn’t meet recreational water quality criteria for enterococcus bacteria as of Aug. 21, 2024.

Testing took place on Monday and the advisories will stay in place until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level.

The department advised against activities on the water at these locations due to an increased risk of illness. The agency website notes that if the bacteria are present in high concentrations and are ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause disease, infections or rashes.

The following locations are affected:

• Laguna Beach (SP 2), 19440 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

• Panama City Beach City Pier (SP 3), 16101 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

• Bid-A-Wee Beach (SP 4) across from Argonaut Road, Panama City Beach

• Panama City Beach Access #41 (SP 5), 11211 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

• Beach Drive (SP 10), U.S. 98 West Beach Drive, Panama City

The presence of this bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage, according to the FDOH.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says enterococci are typically not considered harmful to humans, but their presence in the environment could indicate other disease-causing agents may be present.